Tony Stewart struck and killed a fellow driver with his sprint car late Saturday during a dirt-track race at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department announced early Sunday.

Sheriff Philip Povero confirmed the driver, whom Povero would not identify, was dead on arrival to an area hospital Saturday night and that Stewart was the driver who struck him. While Stewart is being investigated, Povero said the investigation is not criminal and that no charges have been filed. He added that Stewart cooperated with police and was released; the three-time Sprint Cup champion is believed to be in Watkins Glen, NY, for Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.

According to multiple unconfirmed reports, Stewart was involved in an on-track incident with driver Kevin Ward Jr., with Stewart’s car allegedly striking Ward after he got out of his car to confront Stewart about earlier contact between the two. Late Saturday, a fan claiming to have video of the incident posted it to YouTube. In it, shocked fans sob and scream that Stewart ran over another driver as he lies motionless on the track while emergency personnel respond.

“People that witnessed it were horrified,” Povero said of the crash. “They were extremely shocked.”

Tyler Graves, a sprint-car racer and friend of Ward’s, told Sporting News in a phone interview that he was sitting in the Turn 1 grandstands and saw everything.

“Tony pinched him into the frontstretch wall, a racing thing,” Graves said. “The right rear tire went down, he spun on the exit of (Turn) 2. They threw the caution and everything was toned down. Kevin got out of his car. … He was throwing his arms up all over the place at Tony for most of the corner.

“I know Tony could see him. I know how you can see out of these cars. When Tony got close to him, he hit the throttle. When you hit a throttle on a sprint car, the car sets sideways. It set sideways, the right rear tire hit Kevin, Kevin was sucked underneath and was stuck under it for a second or two and then it threw him about 50 yards.”

Graves said he didn’t believe it was intentional.

“You never mean to do something like that,” Graves told Sporting News. “Kevin was pissed and he let Tony know. And Tony was trying to give the message back that he wasn’t happy either. He went over the line with it.”

Video of the crash showed Ward, in the No. 13 car, spin into a wall after contact with Stewart’s car. Ward, wearing a black firesuit and black helmet, climbed quickly from his car and briskly walked around it in what appeared to be an attempt to confront Stewart as he passed by in his own car, his familiar No. 14.

The video showed Ward to the right of Stewart’s car, which seemed to kick out from the rear and hit Ward. The driver was hurtled through the air and emergency personnel quickly reached Ward as he lay on the track.

Warning: Graphic content and language below.

After the incident, racing for the evening was canceled, police were dispatched and fans were told to leave the track.

“Tonight’s racing events were suspended due to an accident,” the track posted on its Facebook page. “Please hold off on any speculation until we have further information to share.”

Later, the track announced it wouldn’t have a statement until Sunday. “Please pray for the entire racing community of fans, drivers, and families,” it said on Facebook.

Calls placed by FOXSports.com to both the track and Stewart’s public relations representative went unanswered.

Michael Messerly, a fan who witnessed the crash, told the Associated Press it appeared Stewart, racing there on the eve of a Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen, hit a driver who was walking on the dimly lit track after they had collided on the previous lap.

Ambulances on the scene at a dirt track in upstate New York after a witness said NASCAR’s Tony Stewart hit another driver walking on the trackPhoto: AP

He said Stewart struck the driver, who was wearing a dark racing suit, as he tried to “speed past” him.

“I didn’t see (the other driver) anymore,” he said. “It just seemed like he was suddenly gone.”

Messerly said the crash appeared to be the result of “a number of bad decisions” and not “any intent on Tony Stewart’s part.”

“Auto racing is a dangerous sport,” he said. “I think it was just an unfortunate set of circumstances that created a tragic situation.”

Stewart was involved in a July 2013 accident at Canandaigua Motorsports Park that seriously injured a 19-year-old driver. He later took responsibility for his car making contact with another and triggering the 15-car accident that left Alysha Ruggles with a compression fracture in her back.

On Saturday, ambulances, fire trucks and police arrived within minutes of the crash, Messerly said. Fans filed out in stunned silence, he said.

The Ontario County Sheriff’s Department says its officers were at the track investigating into the early morning Sunday.

Stewart, 42, only returned to sprint track racing last month, almost a year after breaking his leg in a crash at an Iowa track. The accident cost him the second half of the NASCAR season, and he didn’t return to racing in any form until February when preparation for NASCAR’s season-opening Daytona 500 began.

He refused to stop his extracurricular racing despite the injury and was scheduled to race Sunday.

Stewart was a spectator at the Knoxville Nationals in Iowa on Tuesday, the one-year anniversary of the accident, and posted on his Twitter account: “Thank you to everyone that worked so hard to get me back to where I’m at today. It’s your life, live it!”

Roughly three hours after the accident in New York, Donny Schatz, a sprint car driver for Tony Stewart Racing, won the prestigious Knoxville Nationals in Iowa for an eighth time. Stewart had spent much of the earlier part of the week trackside in Iowa watching his drivers compete.

“I was just told there was an incident involving Tony. I don’t know to what extent or what’s happening,” Schatz said.

Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champion, is co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. The four-team Sprint Cup organization fields cars for Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick. He’s struggled a bit this year since returning from his injury, and heads into Sunday’s race winless on the season and ranked 19th in the standings.

Stewart was scheduled to start 13th on Sunday at Watkins Glen International in south central New York state. He has just five races remaining to either score a win or move inside the top 16 in points to grab a valuable spot in NASCAR’s championship race.

Calls to Stewart’s representatives were not immediately returned. Stewart-Haas Racing released this statement Sunday morning: “A tragic accident took place last night during a sprint car race in which Tony Stewart was participating. Tony was unhurt, but a fellow competitor lost his life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We’re still attempting to sort through all the details and we appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”

LOL. Why would Tony be angry at Ward? They had no history to that point and Tony didn't have a reason to even be mad at that point or even irritated with the kid. The kid wrecked all on his own if you watch the vid in slow-mo. Tony never touched him so why would Tony be mad at Ward for Ward wrecking his own car and Tony not wrecking or even having any damage to his car? LOL. Again it was close racing at that instant but wasn't close before that at all. It was only close for a few seconds and Ward was running the high line and tried to pull back even and right at that instant he ran out of talent and spun so Tony had no reason to be mad at all when he came back around like people here have claimed he must have been. I bet when Tony speaks out he will say he didn't even know it was Ward that had spun out when he came back around the track.

That foolish kid should have stayed in the car, the only reason he was on the track out of his car was to confront Stewart in a road rage action, it was HIS fault for getting hit period. these road rage incidents by these drivers must stop before any more deaths occur it's NASCAR to make this happen ASAP.

Some here amaze me! Go to you tube and watch it. His car did not kick sideways until after Ward was hit so the whole engine rev thing is BS. Enlarge it and slow it down and see! Ward purposely tried to get real close and appears to try and grab Tony's car. Also in the vid on slow-mo you can see Tony did not bump him or even touch him to cause the wreck. Ward even closed back up on Tony just before he jumped the cushion and spun. Close racing and a routine wreck. Then Ward 100% caused his own death. By the way I am no fan of Stewart. Some comments below show the problems with America's Media and sheeple that follow.

That poor kid. Obviously he should not have been walking on the track in the middle of a sprint car race and Tony is not 100% to blame for this, but I'm convinced Tony Stewart hit that kid on purpose. I'm sure Mr. Stewart didn't mean to kill the kid, but he hit him on purpose. My uncle races sprint cars and I've worked his pit area. In those cars, you DO NOT hit the gas/throttle (even a little) unless you plan to swing the back end...period...it's what those cars were designed to do. If you'll notice in the video, everyone else is running idle because that is the only way to go straight in those things. I know there are a lot of opinions as to why Tony hit the gas before/near the kid, but I'm certain that someone like Tony (who has been racing for 36 years) knows that hitting the throttle (even a little bit) would swing the back end of a sprint car. Even if he doesn't go to Jail for this...I feel sorry for him. Obviously this is just one man's opinion, but if I'm right the rest of his life will be lived as a lie and he'll have to go to sleep every night knowing that he killed that kid due to poor judgement in a 'heat of the moment' scenario. Brutal stuff.

I still say that he did it on purpose. I don't think that he intended to hurt him but maybe just to scare him. if you really watch the video, it looks like Kevin was trying to move when Tony hit him. My opinion is that Tony is a P***K from the get go and will do whatever he has to to win. I hope he has nightmare about killing that guy for the rest of his life. RIP Kevin and prayers to his family, friends and racing fans.

If he gunned his engine while passing under yellow. He was voicing
protest, he obviously was not trying to intentionally hit him it was
accidental but their is a word for accidentally killing in anger its
called MANSLAUGHTER.

How many people commenting here know the difference between a sprint car and the Sprint Cup? Do you know anything about NASCAR or racing? Kevin Ward's own supporters have stated what he did was unsafe and his death could have been avoided - by him. Unless you were in the car with Tony, or are psychic and know his thoughts at the moment of the accident, you need to reserve judgement. Racing is a dangerous sport and those who participate know that and do all they can to stay safe and race another day.

@Michael Zaldivar Isn't it ironic that all these other people were able to analyze the video so expertly through the banners? I couldn't even view it much less analyze it and determine Stewart's evil intent.

@Heidi Souther@Michael Zaldivar When it comes to these types of things I don't like to GUESS what happened due to some Idiot "sensationalizing" an incident like this with "banners" blocking damned near the entire video.

@Michael Zaldivar @Heidi Souther Dude! I agreed with you. I couldn't see through the banners and can't figure out how the rest of these folks, who have analyzed it to the point of convicting Tony Stewart of manslaughter, could.

So, do you feel like a big man now, Tony. Making millions of dollars per year and trying to be a BA on a small town track and show the "little boys" how you do your thing. A 20 year old kids is dead now. You are a tough guy, aren't you? I think that you, your reputation, and your career will all suffer because of your hot head and anger. You need help. May God have mercy on you.

I have always liked Stewart, but I have always known that he was a hothead. I have watched the footage of this several times, and it sickens me. I am appalled and amazed that a seasoned veteran like Stewart was not able to avoid this young man walking down the track to express how upset he was that he was put into the wall by this Nascar pro. This sort of display of emotion happens all of the time in Nascar, but you never see anyone get hit or killed. Tony Stewart, only you know whether or not you had ill intentions. I certainly don't think you meant to kill the kid, but you did. I do believe you meant to teach him a lesson. Regardless of what happens to you, I will never be able to look at you the same way again. You have lost one fan here regardless of your intentions.

If you watch the video at the top page you can tell that Tony S. Slid sideways on purpose he intentionally done that. tony S. Has been out of his car on the track so many times before. he should be held accountable for his action. If we hit and killed someone we would go to jail and maybe receive vehicular homicide if not murder!

MOST OF THESE COMMENTS ARE BRAINLESS. DRIFTING IS A HUGE DEAL IN DIRT RACING. IF HE TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP THAT FAST IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A BIGGER ACCIDENT WHICH WOULDNT HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR MR.WARD OUTSIDE OF HIS CAR WALKING TOWARDS THINGS GOIN 80 90 MPH.

THIS IS A CASE WERE NO MATTER WHAT HE TRIED TO DO STEWART COULDNT AVIOD THIS UNLESS HE SEEN HIM WAY BEFORE COMING AROUND THE BEND.ITS ALL ABOUT WERE HIM AND THE SURROUNDING CARS WERE POSITIONED. IF THE CAR BEFORE HIM HIT HIM WHICH HE 90PERCENT ALMOST DID. WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT HOW RECKLESS MR WARD WAS RATHER THEN THE DRIVER.

yea, lets get pissed and play in race car traffic. Stupidity by Ward. He almost got hit by the car in front of Stewart. It's not like NASCAR where they have spotters who can tell you the guy got out of his car go low or high. No way for Stewart to know he got out and tried to find him

Some of these folks commenting seem to have no racing knowledge .....just looking to point the finger. I do believe Stewart intended to ignore "the kid" look at the video again Ward almost got hit by the car before Stewarts car ,and try to understand the dynamics of a sprint car and how they work .In an effort to try to avoid hitting Ward(possibly noticing him at the last moment ) Stewart probably did hit the throttle TO TURN THE CAR LEFT TO STEER AWAY ! Another comment stated that Tony was probably paying attention to the car in front of him I agree 100% there's no commentary hyping up the situation in car for these drivers like there would be on television and why would Tony or any driver for that matter be looking for a pedestrian on the RACE TRACK? This is without doubt a tragedy and my sympathy goes out to the Ward family and friends you all are in my prayers ! The bottom line here is Ward should have never gotten out of his car until advised to do so by track officials and safety crews THAT IS WHY THESE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS! let them do their job if there was any hot head in this incident unfortunately it was the one who lost his life

I don't watch racing but I did watch this tape several times. If there isn't a rule about staying in the car there should be. I don't believe that the racer intentionally hit the other driver. It happened in about two seconds from the time the first car surved to miss him till Stewart hit him looks like to me he saw him gased to turn to miss him and the boy never stopped coming. WhAt a tragity. Don't make it worse by name calling accusations. Sad for everyone involved.

Yes, it was stupid to get out of you car---but bad tempered Stewart has ALWAYS been a HOT HEAD and he NEVER tried to slow down or change directions.......I drive something I'm about to hit even if it's not fault I hit the brakes, slow down and turn the wheel to avoid the accident. Many drivers have avoided an accident because of what they did to prevent hitting another. I guess this gives a green light to slam into anyone who pushes through a red light--just hit the gas and T-bone the family. After all they were wrong----give me a break.

Bring Stewart up on criminal charges, manslaughter. Band him from racing, sue him in civil court.

Sports figures can be jerks too, not always admire them all unconditionally

Tony Stewart is a thug, he is always involved in accidents and now he has killed someone. The fact is NEVER tried slow down or swerve-, in fact he hit the gas when he was close. I honestly think he tried to brush into the guy and flat out killed the guy. I hope he goes to jail for manslaughter, never races again, and loses big time in a civil lawsuit.For those of you who remotely think his was a COMPLETE accident-he knew there was a wrecked car on the track, thus slow down, there was a Yellow flag out, thus slow down, service crew would be out on the track to attend to the wrecked car he helped cause thus slow down, he's a professional he knows better----but his thug like anger killed the guy. PERIOD----GO TO HELL EVIL STEWART

@Jase Michael heres some education for you. Sprint Cars are different then normal cars, the only way to steer sprint cars is with the Throttle. the steering wheel has little to do with turning and swerving, so the reason he hit the gas was so he could swerve. Might want to learn something about sprint cars before you make stupid comments.

The more I watch the vid, the more I think it was not intentional. You see Ward's knees bend right before contact is made. I think he realized he was directly in Tony's path and tried to jump out of the way. You actually don't hear the engine rev until after initial contact is made. Not before.

Ward gets out of his car, walks into the middle of the track and everyone needs to avoid him? Give me a break. He needed to stay with his car until the safety crew arrived. He wanted to be a tough guy, and he should have waited until after the race. Tough luck for him.

By revieing the clip it would appeare that Tony had lost his " Situational Awareness when he stepped out of his car on of all places a race track where the last thing you would expect to see would be a pedestrian!

My sympathies to his family, but Tony would be with is today if he stayed in his car.

@Brent Johnson i may not be an expert but i do know how to drive, i have always loved to go out in the snow and ice and also when i was younger, on dirt roads, and slide around corners and do bat turns (put car into a side ways slide before you get to the corner) and stuff like that and i am very good at it and this looks pretty much like he hit the gas more then likely to scare him but things went a little wrong. But we'll see the cops will figure it out.

@batterup boy@Brent Johnson Batterup boy, you've lost this argument before you even started it. You know nothing about how these machines perform unless you've driven one. Fact of the matter is, Ward made a childish, immature mistake by getting mad and getting out of his car and attempting to "show" another driver by walking into the path of his speeding race car. YOU go try that on the interstate and see what happens to you.

@david5300 Tony Stewart did not step out of his car and is still with us. A 20 year old driver, Kevin Ward, Jr., is deceased b/c he made a horribly bad decision to confront another driver b/c of a routine accident while the race was still in progress. Waiting until AFTER the race to confront Stewart would have been the mature (albeit unprofessional) thing to do.

@batterup boy Sprint Cars arent like normal cars to turn you have to hit the throttle, so you have to hit the gas to make a turn, the steering wheel is more for looks and decoration/something to hold on too it doesnt actually help turn in a sprint car